Longhorns Shutout KU Softball
April 18, 2009
AUSTIN, Texas –
Kansas softball struggled to put runners on base as Texas held KU to just two hits en route to the Longhorns’ 5-0 victory over the Jayhawks. The loss, which dropped KU to 16-24 on the season and 4-7 in Big 12 play, spoiled a three-game win streak for Kansas.
Texas (33-14, 9-4 Big 12) scored a pair of runs in its first at bat to take a quick 2-0 lead. KU starting pitcher Sarah Vertelka threw an illegal pitch to plate the first run, while UT’s Nadia Taylor brought in the second on an RBI single to right center. A dropped fly ball by the KU outfield in the bottom of the third inning allowed a third Longhorn to score.
Despite no Jayhawk hits until the fifth inning, KU loaded the bases in the second on two walks and catcher’s interference but could not take advantage of the situation as a strikeout stranded all three runners.
In the sixth inning, KU put two more runners on base with a Val Chapple single to right field and an Amanda Jobe base on balls, but again the Jayhawks could not come up with a timely hit to plate the runners.
Sophomore Kolby Fesmire broke UT’s no-hitter in the top of the fifth with a single into shallow right centerfield. The Jayhawks made good contact with the ball throughout the game but could not find the holes to get on base.
The Longhorns added two more insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on back-to-back solo home runs.
Vertelka tossed two thirds of the first inning but was replaced by freshman Sarah Blair after giving up two runs. Blair pitched the remaining five and one third innings allowing five hits and two earned runs and striking out two.
The Jayhawks and Longhorns will conclude their Big 12 series tomorrow at noon. Live stats, video and audio for the game will be available at www.kuathletics.com.
